Maria Holmes, former Comcast community impact director, is retiring after an incredibly successful 40-year career in the telecommunications industry.
Comcast’s Long-time Director of Community Impact, Maria Holmes, recently retired and during her tenure in the field helped pave the way for countless coming after her in indelible ways throughout metro Detroit and beyond.
Holmes, who developed relationships with over 300 nonprofits during her 40-year career in the telecommunications industry, officially announced her retirement from the company in mid-August.
As the long-time director of Community Impact for its Heartland Region, she told the Michigan Chronicle that her decision to leave the telecommunications industry better than she found it was not easy, but she left it in more than capable hands.
“The most fulfilling aspect of my career is knowing that my work made a tangible difference in the lives of so many people – from youth at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Michigan and Indiana to the older adults at the St. Patrick Senior Center in Detroit,” said Holmes. “Moving forward, my goal is to continue positively impacting the lives of people around me in any way I can.”
The Heartland Region includes Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan, and is headquartered in Plymouth.
Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company that connects “people to moments that matter.”
“Maria is one of the most dedicated employees I have had the pleasure of working with at Comcast,” said Craig D’Agostini, vice president of External Affairs for Comcast’s Heartland Region, in a press release. “Her passion for community impact has been a tremendous asset to this company and the communities we serve.”
In late August, Comcast announced that Shannon Dulin was promoted to director of Community Impact for Comcast’s Heartland Region.
In this role, Dulin will oversee national and local philanthropic programs and initiatives in Heartland communities that Comcast serves. These initiatives make a difference through volunteerism and advancing digital equity. She and her team will also cultivate partnerships with non-profit organizations across the region to develop and execute impactful programs like Project UP, which will reach many with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Dulin, who celebrates 18 years with the company this fall, told the Michigan Chronicle that she has “super big shoes to fill.”
“Shannon brings a wealth of experience to her new role,” said D’Agostini. “This is a well-deserved opportunity for her to grow within the company. We look forward to Shannon putting her unique touch on our community impact strategy.”
Dulin was formerly the External Affairs Manager for Comcast serving the City of Detroit and several surrounding communities. She has served Comcast for 17 years in community and government affairs roles in Michigan and Georgia.
Dulin said that Holmes’ work over the years is beyond admirable.
“Maria is a legend within Comcast — she has led with integrity and compassion over the last 40 years and is so well-loved by our organization and community partners,” she said, adding that their working relationship is bonded by time and genuine friendship. “Although I won’t let her off the hook — I will be calling her.”
Holmes began her career in 1983 as a programming executive producer at Omnicom Cable, in Canton, Mich. She quickly advanced to Community Affairs and Program director where she led the operations of two production studios that served nine counties. Since 1996, Holmes has served in various external affairs leadership roles for Media One and Comcast, including serving as a Government Affairs liaison for the cable industry for over 10 years. In these positions, she negotiated contracts, developed and facilitated programs, as well as fostered long-term relationships with more than 300 nonprofit organizations delivering results for national community impact initiatives with these local partners.
Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Holmes to the Michigan Community Service Commission in 2015, and she served two three-year terms helping lead the state’s agency on volunteerism.
“Maria was not only a wonderful person to work with, but she was also a tremendous advocate for service and volunteerism both in her role as a commissioner and her position at Comcast,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes (no relation). “She served as an incredibly positive force who inspired all she worked with to do more, to care more, and to give more. Maria brought a deep understanding of the importance of this work and a desire to bring forth solutions to community challenges. It is our hope that she experiences as much joy in retirement as she brought to others during her service for the state of Michigan.”
Holmes told the Michigan Chronicle that her job revolved around philanthropic work and volunteerism.
“You’re working with non-profits to bridge that gap,” she said of helping people who want to volunteer and keeping employees engaged with the community. “I am really fortunate that my passion is service and giving and I had a unique opportunity that my passion has been my profession. Many people wake up every day and they don’t know if they’re going to make a difference … when I wake up, I make a difference in the community.”
Holmes, though retired, didn’t hang up her hat yet. She will soon be minted as a trustee with a local university.
She will also continue her volunteer service in the community including contributing to Washtenaw Literacy, Per Scholas (Detroit), Detroit Connect313, Habitat for Humanity of Macomb, Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT), National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), as well as working with seniors, youth and many others. Maria’s administrative and compassionate work at Abundant Harvest Church of Belleville will also remain a personal priority, according to a press release.
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